Vikings fan builds stadium replica from toothpicks

Greg Kelly, a Vikings super fan, says to build something like this you need patience, a steady hand, and a lot of toothpicks.

Author:
Camille Williams

Published:
6:11 PM CST January 15, 2018

Updated:
6:32 PM CST January 15, 2018

MINNEAPOLIS - There's a pretty cool piece of art on display at U.S. Bank Stadium, and it's made out of toothpicks.

Greg Kelly, a Vikings superfan, built a replica of the stadium. He says to build something like this you need patience, a steady hand, and a lot of toothpicks.

“I know I used eight boxes and there are 800 in a box so that’s 6,400,” said Kelly.

Kelly did have to use a few other materials to keep it together.

“Bamboo skewers, balsa wood, bass wood and vegetable crates," he said. "It was super overwhelming to try and figure it out, because I’d love to do something that I hadn’t seen other people do. The hardest part of the model, and of course any model, is just to get started."

His replica caught the attention of the Vikings and had its debut inside the stadium during the team's first playoff game on Sunday.

Kelly, who is battling cancer, says having his art shared with other Vikings fans made his day.

“I’m really humbled they recognized the work and that they liked it so much,” said Kelly.

And Sunday’s miracle win also made the superfan’s day.

“I’m just so thrilled to see a real happy thing happen, finally,” said Kelly.